Jonathan Ross has revealed the extent of his vintage toy collection, admitting that it is ‘not healthy.’
On Thursday, the TV presenter appeared on Antiques Roadshow in the Toys and Childhood Special edition, when he opened up about his passion of all things plastic.
The 62-year-old broadcaster met with presenter Fiona Bruce to show off his collection, which is one of the largest in the UK, and to explain why he is such a lover of Japanese action figures.
‘And what a prosaic answer would be, and this is very typical, I think, is I come from quite a poor background,’ Jonathan stated when asked about the beginnings of his passion. So I didn’t have the toys I desired as a child.
‘For example, major Matt Mason came out and I desperately want a Major Mason and I didn’t get one for like two years, and I kind of felt like I needed it, though, so this is that sense of childhood entitlement coming out.’
Surrounded by his toys, Fiona, 58, probed:’ And is this healthy? Do you think?’
Jonathan replied instantly: ‘Obviously not, no, I’m, I’m aware that this is not healthy. However, look, Fiona, here’s the thing: the difference between a collector and a hoarder in my mind is a hoarder just saves everything any which way and can’t let anything go.
‘Whereas a collector knows what they have knows where they are, knows why they have it, and can release them back into the wild occasionally.’
Jonathan continued: ‘When I come here, the minute I walk in there, no matter what else is happening in my life, where there might be family pressures or work pressures, I feel that burden lifted because this is a very safe space.
‘For me, It’s a very lovely space. And everywhere I look there are things that I love.’
In other news, Fiona chatted with antique toy collector Stephen Lane, who challenged her to rank three rare Star Wars figures in order of worth, and Mark Hill visited the V&A in London to learn how they’re preparing to transport precious toys to a new home.
Raj Bisram also investigated a spectacular Action Man collection, while Marc Allum played the popular table football game Subbuteo and discovered the origins of its enigmatic name.
Antiques Roadshow is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.